Negri Sembilan is a state in the central part of West Malaysia. It has a size of 6645 sq km and a population of slightly over one million people (2007 est.) The capital is Seremban. Negri Sembilan shares a border with Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Malacca. The state is also written as Negeri Sembilan, and the official name often includes an Arabic honorific, Negri Sembilan Darul Khusus, meaning "Negri Sembilan, Exceptional Abode".
Era Walk, Seremban
Author: Suanie (public domain)
The name Negri Sembilan means "nine states". It refers to the original nine states or districts established by the Minangkabau people who settled there from West Sumatra, Indonesia. Today, Negri Sembilan is composed of six districts. Of these, four of the bigger ones namely Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau are ruled by hereditary chiefs called Undang, who undertake to select an overall ruler of Negri Sembilan, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The system of choosing a ruler resembles the election of the Malaysian king, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, except that the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan holds office for life.
History of Negri Sembilan
The Minangkabaus settled in Negri Sembilan in the 15th century, at the time of the Malacca Sultanate, and were given protection by it. After Malacca fell to the Portuguese, the area came the protection of the Sultanate of Johor, which was established by the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last sultan of Malacca.
Hong San Si Temple, Port Dickson (29 December 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
To look after the interest of the Minangkabaus, the ruler of Minangkabau in Sumatra, Sultan Abdul Jalil, sent his near relative, Raja Melewar, to be ruler. After defeating another rival to the throne, Raja Khatib, Raja Melewar was granted the title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, which means "He who is lord over the rulers of the Nine States", by the Sultan of Johor, in 1773.
A series of succession disputes ensued following the death of Raja Melewar. The British eventually intervened in 1873, resulting in the district of Sungai Ujong falling under the control of a British Resident. This was followed by Jelebu in 1886 and the rest of Negri Sembilan in 1895. The first British Resident was Martin Lister, who was assassinated in office in his effort to quash violence between the Chinese secret societies.
The number of states within Negri Sembilan has fluctuated throughout history. Among the former states include Naning in Malacca, Kelang in Selangor and Segamat in Johor. The present ones are Jelai, Jelebu, Johol, Rembau, Sungai Ujong and Tampin. Within a different composition, Negri Sembilan is also divided into seven administrative districts, which are Jelebu, Jempol, Kuala Pilah, Port Dickson, Rembau, Seremban and Tampin.
Getting there
The most convenient way to reach Negri Sembilan is by road. The North-South Expressway cuts though the state. The following are the exits to different parts of Negri Sembilan:
Exit 215: Nilai Interchange
Exit 218: Seremban Interchange
Exit 219A: Port Dickson Interchange
Exit 220: Senawang Interchange
Exit 223: Pedas Linggi Interchange
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